Primate looks ahead to Northern visit

The Primate of All Ireland has expressed his hope that Pope Francis will visit the North of Ireland in the distant future, giving it the “dedicated time” it requires.

Speaking to the BBC on Thursday, Archbishop Eamon Martin said that he pushed hard to encourage the Holy See that the Pope would make a visit north of the border, adding that “the time is right now for it”.

However, given the packed schedule for the visit, the Archbishop of Armagh said he didn’t know “how the poor man is going to be able to do all of the things that we’re trying to squeeze in”.

History

“In some ways I now realise that a visit to Northern Ireland, particularly with our history and with all that we’ve been through, is going to require a dedicated time,” he explained.

Although the Pope was not crossing the border on this occasion, Archbishop Martin hoped he would acknowledge Northern Ireland during his visit. “He might say something to us in our particular situation here in Northern Ireland about our peace and what we have done, and maybe affirm us in the progress we have made.”